Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles recommended higher velocity powder for 150 gr 7mm-08 loads

Guys,

I've been happily making deer loads in my 7mm-08 using 150 gr Sierra's for many years using IMR4320.

Lately, I've started considering using the same rifle, with 150 gr Partitions for elk too.

My manuals say I can pickup ~150-200 fps by switching to Varget or H414/WW760.

Does anyone have a recommendation here? I'm not in a rush on this project, but would appreciate any insight you gents could offer.

shane

Take a look at H4350, it's great for the 260, and you get higher velocity for less powder than most powders in the 260, so the same May hold for the 7-08

Also look at RL19. powdr

You might consider RL-17. I'm working up with 140 grain Accubonds and spacious Winchester brass, case capacity may be limiting. I'm at 48.5 grains and no signs of high pressure - easy bolt lift, primers not flattened, no ejector cut marks on case heads. I will try 48.8 and stop there regardless - just a personal thing, but I don't like very crushed powder. 150 grain bullets might be a very good match for load density.

Just a thought........Nothing wrong with 140 gr. partitions for Elk, and with RL 15 you can get 2800 fps easy enough out of a 22" barrel. If it will shoot out of your rifle (and most do) Big Game can get to 2900+ out of the same barrel.

760 and big game give me the best velocity 2850 and 2900 Fps with the 150 lrab before I found pressure out of a 24 inch Kreiger. 2800 Fps with 760 gave me the best groups. Nosler lists hunter and RL 19 with higher velocity in their manual I think but I haven't tried either.

Only problem with Nosler's manual is that their listed velocities are out of a 26" barrel. Just a thought.

drop ur bullet weight to 110-120 Barnes TTSX, and you'd get some real speed-and knockdown

I have tried the 140 Partion, and it didnt group well at all. in fact, none of the 140 grainers did well.

The rifle does exceedingly well with leaded 150's.

thanks for the reminder that Nosler uses 26" bbls. Mine is certainly not...

I'm leaning towards 760, just because its one of the powders that is presently available, but again, I'm in no rush.

My only other suggestion would be this; don't chase velocity too hard with this fine cartridge. It is a mild and accurate round capable of taking most North American game animals while staying within the confines for which it was designed. The rifle and brass will last a lot longer too. Just a thought....

Shane,
What are you trying to get to velocity wise. Custom tube? Length?

H4350 and RL17 will push those 150 sierra's to around 2750 or so in my 22" browning Abolt . Accuracy is very good . 48.0 of the H4350 works well for me, and 46.0 of the RL17 . My gun also seems to prefer 150's over the 140's . I have tried the same loads with partitions and they shot into the same group .

CLB,

My Nosler manual says I ought to be able to get ~150 fps more with a powder change. On an elk hunt, that extra velocity would be welcome.

To LastRounds point..... I just looked into it, and if the listed BC is correct, I'd still have >1900 fps out to 400 yards, with a 2660 fps launch (what I'm getting using IMR4320). The accuracy of my current load is very good, so maybe a powder switch would be ill-advised, and unnecessary all at the same time.

All of this is very encouraging. I presently hunt with a .358 Win in a BLR, but the accuracy isnt nearly as good as what I get out of the Savage 14 in 7mm08. The .358 has plenty whompum (on both ends), but I'm confident the 7-08 would work fine in an elks lungs.

I also have a 300WSM in a Savage 14, but it "only" holds 3 rounds total, and its just not as fun to shoot as the 7mm-08.

shane

In the interest of screwing around, IMR 4007 ssc might get you to 2800 with 150 gr sierras and H414 would be a close second with the same bullet. This with a 24" tube.

For killing Elk, I don't think I'd sweat 150 fps or so as much as I would bullet construction.

Billy Goat-

I have had good success with 150 SGK BTSP and Sierra's book max load of H414 in my 7-08s. With my 24" barreled 700 classic, my chronied velocities averaged a touch over 2800 fps at 50 degrees F. My 20" barreled Model 7 averaged right around 2740 fps. Excellent accuracy out of both rifles. I also never noticed a change in POI using this load on deer in temps down to below zero. I've never used this combo on elk, but it has been quite effective for quick kills on deer for me.

Regardless of what powder you use, you ain't gonna be able to hot rod an '08 in a meaningful manner. Why not just switch to a good 160 at @25-2600fps and go kill an elk?

well.... I know my rifle likes 150's and I'm pretty sure that's enough, weight wise to get the job done.

I would just like to boost the velocity a little bit, if I can without compromising accuracy. The extra velocity would actually help flatten the trajectory a hair, and extend the distance at which the projectile ought to open.

A "hot-rod" a 7-08 will never be, but a good solid round it is.
Believe me when I tell you I understand your "need for speed" as I use to chase FPS all the time.
I now look for accuracy, no one ever brags about how fast they miss something.
At 400 yards if you are shooting around 2700 FPS now and you go to 2850 you will change your POI by about 3.5" if you are zeroed at 200 yards
If you zero at 250 yards, you will see that number drop to about 2" difference in the two vel.

It sound like you have a load and a bullet you have confidence in so why not change your zero and go kill a big one.
JMHO

Yes H414 will get you boost in velocity. It surely has in my 7x57 as well. But it wasn't the load I settled on. I went to 160 gr Accubonds with Reloader 15 at 2600 fps and slew everything from warthog to kudu. A great all around load in my book. Weather you put 140's or 160's you will have enough to kill elk.

this seems like pretty sage advice. I'll just try the projectile switch from 150 Sierras to 150 NParts and see what happens, group wise.

thanks gents.

shane